Updated chance me

CavsFan2003 · February 10

Heyo all! I'm honestly more curious then anything, now that all my applications are in. I applied to 11 schools: Brooks, Concord, Choate, Loomis Chaffee, Hotchkiss, Exeter, St. Mark's, Andover, Groton, NMH, and Lawrence Academy.

About me:

I'm a 15 (16 in less than 3 weeks!) white trans male sophomore living in Indiana. I attend large urban public school. My family income is around $42,000, so I applied for full aid (zoinks)

My stats:

2316 SSAT, or in the 98th percentile
3.98 W/3.93 UW GPA, grades were low 2nd semester freshman year because of family stuff which I've detailed too many times
38/469 class rank (yikes)
1420 SAT score

My ECs:

-DECA state qualifier in the Integrated Marketing Campaign event
-Winner of a big local business competition
-Nominated to compete in a business competition on behalf that I'm a good marketer
-JV and V bowling, played mainly JV
-Participated on both the academic spell bowl and academic super bowl teams, team placed 4th at area in spell bowl but I was denoted a "Top Speller"
-Employed at Taco Bell, work around 10-15 hours a week
-Was appointed to a spirit council by teachers and senior members, only 5 sophomores out of 469 were chosen
-Student Council, was nominated to represent as a district rep but wasn't able to because of requirements
-Student ambassador, lead freshmen around on tours, help during registration
-Administrator and head developer of a large academic online community
-Helped dad lay floor
-Scripps Area Spelling Champion in 8th grade
-Taught myself Python and C++, working on personal projects, studying for USACO Open
-Was NJHS president back in 8th grade
-JV track, track and XC all through middle school, was a conference championship qualifier in shot put and discus throw
-Spanish Club

My essays, to me, were good, but I know myself, and I suck at guessing how good my stuff is so I'm the least credible source. I'd like to think my recs said nice stuff about me but, again, can't really tell.

I do think my biggest weakness is the lack of Fortnite wins, but if I send a taco to the AOs, that should make up for it.

Soooo... yeah? This stuff is fun, almost feels like a game.

ilovechoateeeee · February 10

What grade are you applying for?

ilovechoateeeee · February 10

I think you have a pretty good chance though. You have a wide range of ECs, good grades, excellent SSAT score, and is from an under-represented state. I can tell that you are hardworking and a genuinely nice person so the AOs probably can too. Also, I'm not really sure about this, but you being trans might be kinda a hook because you're bringing diversity?... I'm not really sure if it is true tho don't quote me on this!

Buuut you're applying for full aid. I'm not sure just how much it decreases your chances, but regardless, you're a pretty strong applicant. Good luck!!!

CavsFan2003 · February 10

@ilovechoateeeee 10th!

Also thank you for the comment. I am just worried about the aid part lol

CC4life · February 11

@CavsFan2003 I don't believe that aid will be problem at schools like Andover, Exeter, Choate, etc. but that is assuming you are accepted to those highly selective schools. Of course, it will be tougher to receive full aid from schools such as CA or Brooks. Overall, I think your chances are pretty strong. In terms of 2nd semester grades, it really depends on how low you are talking about. If there are 1 or 2 Bs or B+s, I believe it will lower your chances, but not by that much. However, if you have several C's that is definitely something to worry about. In terms of class rank, don't sweat it, as long as you are in the top 10% of your class (or even in the top 15- 20%) you should be fine, but again, this is coming from a person who's school doesn't rank so take my advice there with a grain of salt.

Another thing I want to caution you on is try to stay away from the popular assumption that supposedly low grades will balance out due to a high SSAT score. To quote the head of admissions from a school at a Ten Schools Admissions event, "some applicants believe that a high SSAT score will compensate for really low grades. It won't. It just leads us to the assumption that you had the ability to do better in school, but didn't put in the effort or you just worked really hard to succeed on a standardized test rather than do anything else."

I also want to point out that while your EC's are really interesting I believe your lack of a major sport will hurt you in the process. I'm not saying you need to be a recruited athlete, however many, if not all, of the schools on your list do not have a bowling team or a bowl alley. Furthermore, I think track is a great sport, however, I have been told by several of my friends at boarding school and several tour guides that it tends to become the sport everyone does when they don't really have any other commitment that they like during that season (again I'm not saying everyone doing track is just doing it to fulfill the athletics/after school requirement, but many are). Ultimately, I would say that academically and extracurricular wise--you are set, however, the FA and lack of athletics will be a draw back. Overall, I think you will have options on M9.

*Note: at the level of Choate, Deerfield, Andover, Exeter, etc. there truly isn't any "geodiversity" in regards to different US states due to the incredibly high volume of applications they receive. So, I don't believe this would be a "hook" or even a boost for your app.

Anyways, GOOD LUCK! And make sure you post back on M9 with your results!

CavsFan2003 · February 11

@CC4life Thank you!!

My grades that semester dropped from straight As to 3 As, 2 Bs, and a C+, but I wrote about the circumstances surrounding them (mother in and out of jail, mom attempting suicide, having to move schools because of it) so I hope the AOs understand.

I've definitely heard the same thing about track, too, actually. I'm not very good so I think I fall into the same category, which is unfortunate.

YoungThriver · February 11

@CC4life I think aid might be a bit of a problem since they’re applying for 10th grade (as am I) and financial aid for the class of ‘22 has already been distributed.

CC4life · February 12

@YoungThriver That is actually a good point however I'm not sure how true it is for schools like Choate, Deerfield, Andover, etc. ultimately these schools are adding anywhere between 30-60 kids in 10th grade because many private schools, particularly private middle boarding and day schools end after 9th grade. Thus, they fully expect an influx of new students and according to an AO from Choate They allocate the same percent of resources as they would to the new 9th grade class. Of course this would not be numerically the same amount of aid or students, but I am assuming this means the same percent of FA students,recruits, legacies (which may be less considering that legacies most likely matriculate into the class in 9th grade). However, where you run into a problem would be with smaller schools such as Groton where a friend of mine who interviewed for 10th grade was literally told that it is "incredibly difficult" to get in as a new 10th grader, let alone when you are on FA. Groton is, of course, an outlier to the usual boarding school because they have been building their class since 8th grade, however, most boarding schools, even smaller ones, tend to have a large amount of space specifically for new 10th graders.

MaylaSunshine · February 13

I really have nothing to add about your chances, but I hope you get into the schools of your choice! You seem like you'd be a great addition to a community and I LOL'd at your Fortnight wins comment. This process is stressful -- you lightened it up for me! \:D/

CavsFan2003 · February 13

@MaylaSunshine Thank you! I hope you get into your schools as well!

annie385 · February 22

I'm a little late but I think that with the amount of schools applied to, you'll have a high chance

CTMom21 · February 24

I’m in no position to weigh in on probabilities, but I hope you get good news on M8/9/10. You seem like a neat kid who has worked hard and done well notwithstanding some tough circumstances, which is commendable. Wishing you the best.

CavsFan2003 · February 24

@CTMom21 Thank you, it means a lot.

ffsophiar · February 27

If i had to guess, good news is coming. Good grades and SSAT scores, plus impressive EC’s. I also think that the AO’s will be impressed by your ability to overcome tough circumstances (trouble with your mom). I agree with ilovechoateeeee that you being trans could help you out too. Good luck!!!

gardenstategal · February 27

@YoungThriver , schools that admit students in grades other than 10th usually have an FA budget for them so I don't think that's any more of an issue than it is for a 9th grader.

It is true that most schools add very few in 11th and that FA for them may be very limited to non-existent.

YoungThriver · February 27

@gardenstategal Kind of glad to hear that. Thanks!

CaliMex · March 9

Any news, @CavsFan2003 ?

CavsFan2003 · March 9

@CaliMex Accepted to Hotchkiss, Lawrence (WL for aid) and Choate w/ Icahn Scholars!

CaliMex · March 9

Congratulations!

Updated chance me

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